The Milwaukee Bucks already had the chance to play the Khris Middleton Wizards once last season, inching out a 104-101 win that fittingly came down to a missed Middleton three in the final seconds. That was on the road, though, and barely two weeks after the trade deadline, with emotions still raw from the deal that sent Middleton to Washington and made Kyle Kuzma a Buck.
On opening night of the 2025-26 season, the Fiserv Forum will fete Middleton’s Wizards in a more organized setting. Doc Rivers envisions nothing but cheers, perhaps some tears, too, for a franchise legend and beloved member of the team for over a decade. Turns out Doc has been doing his part, too, to ensure a proper welcome.
Middleton beloved as a Milwaukee Buck and more
“First of all, the fan reaction should be amazing. I have put some pressure on our video crew, like the jumbotron, all the stuff we do,” Rivers said, referring to the tribute Middleton will get, no doubt a thorough one. “It should all be amazing because he’s a Buck for life, no matter where he’s at. Pat Connaughton is a Buck for life. Brook Lopez. So we lost three of those guys from last year, and Khris will be the first one coming back.”
Feb 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Former teammates Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) hug prior to their game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
In addition to Middleton, the Bucks will also pay a visit to the aforementioned Lopez and Connaughton this season in games against the Clippers and Hornets. For how long he spent in Milwaukee, though, part of a shared from the cellar dweller to title team, Middleton will receive a special kind of welcome.
“The Milwaukee fans are phenomenal,” Rivers continued. “You know it’s so funny, of all the places, the one thing I’m not worried about is usually the question… if this was A LOT of other places, it’s ‘do you think the fans are gonna boo?’ Of course not, they’re not. WE traded him. HE won a title for us. And he’s a Buck.”
Regardless of jersey, Middleton will be forever enshrined in Milwaukee for his contributions, and often his late-game heroics as a scoring closer, in getting the team their first championship in 50 years, back in 2021. Although Rivers was only his coach for roughly one full season, he knows that Middleton’s left a legacy in Milwaukee that extends beyond the basketball floor.
Mar 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton (22) and Chicago Bulls guard Justin Holiday (7) go after a loose ball during the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
“He’s part of this community, and I think that’s what people forget the most. As good as he was on the court, I thought he was a superstar off the court. Him and his wife, with all the things they did for the community.”
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